International Students

More than 40% of Warwick Volunteers’ members are international students because volunteering is an excellent way to experience the UK.

Volunteering brings with it many benefits, to the local community and to you – the volunteer. It can be a valuable experience for you personally and professionally, helping you to:

develop your skills,

meet new friends,

get to know the community around campus,

improve your wellbeing and

do something worthwhile.

Warwick Volunteers will make it as easy as possible for you to volunteer, but you do need to be aware of some important legal issues:

Visa restrictions

Please be aware that some volunteering activity is subject to visa restrictions, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you adhere to these.

Tier 4 visa

You can volunteer while you are studying. Voluntary work is distinct from volunteering. Hours of voluntary work (not volunteering) must be counted in the total number of hours permitted.

Warwick Volunteers does not run or advertise any volunteering opportunities which would be classed as ‘voluntary work’. Our voluntary opportunities help local charities, community organisations, voluntary or public sector organisations. We will not ask you to sign a contract and offer a variety of programmes requiring different levels of commitment from volunteers.

For further information, please refer to the Working Alongside Your Studies, Important Information for Tier 4 visa holders available in hard copy from the Immigration Service team or online from the link below:

- do volunteer to help a charity or voluntary or public sector organization

The difference between 'volunteering' and 'voluntary work'

Tier 4 students can volunteer while they are studying but must be careful as voluntary work is distinct from volunteering. Hours undertaking voluntary work (not volunteering) must be counted in your weekly permitted working hour allowance (according to your Tier 4 conditions.)

Factors to take into account when considering if a particular activity constitutes voluntary work or volunteering are:

Voluntary workers will usually have contractual obligations to perform the work (e.g. to attend at particular times and carry out specific tasks) with the employer being contractually required to provide the work - the contract does not have to be written

A voluntary worker is usually remunerated in kind (for example, getting free or highly discounted accommodation while working)

Volunteers do not have a contract, they must not be a substitute for an employee and must not be doing unpaid work - for example, receiving payments in kind (although they can sometimes be reimbursed for reasonable travel and subsistence expenses)

Volunteers usually help a charity or voluntary or public sector organisation

Background checks

It is a UK legal requirement volunteers working in any capacity with children or vulnerable adults to apply for a DBS check. You will be sent an e-mail directing you to the Online Disclosures form.

Volunteers are also required to provide the equivalent of a DBS check issued by your home country. Each country gives a different name to this process, with common names including ‘Certificate of Good Conduct’, ‘Certificate of no criminal conviction’ and ‘National Police Check’. The process for applying for one of these checks is different in every country. For more information on country-specific processes, please visit the Certificate of Good Conduct page for more information.

It can take up to three months for checks to be processed, so you are advised to apply early. You should request an English translation of the certificate if possible.

You must retain the original copy of your Certificate of Good Conduct to show to your volunteering placement.

Please keep your receipts, if you are charged for the Certificate of Good Conduct, so we can reimburse you.

What do our international student volunteers say?

Being far away from my family has been extremely hard for me. Getting back into volunteering gives me joy that can decrease the amount of loneliness I'm feeling

I gained confidence in talking to people of different ages and from different background

Insight into a new career path that I now want to embark on!

Understanding of the British culture, interpersonal skills, new friends, relief from homesickness

I have met people from other countries

Volunteering has really helped to boost my self-esteem as well as my CV

It's been a thoroughly enjoyable experience

I made a lot of friends who are outside of my course. Volunteering has enriched my university experience

I met new and link-minded people, I was able to develop my teaching and presentation skills, and became more confident overall